Viral OOCL Ship Video Highlights Dangers of Parametric Rolling

A dramatic video of an OOCL container ship struggling against rough seas recently surfaced on social media. The intense clip shows a vessel believed to be the OOCL Brisbane, according to Gcaptain. The 50,575 DWT vessel was built in 2009 and is 260 meters long.

VIDEO BY @LESABRE63 / YOUTUBE

Although the video has gained recent popularity, the clip itself is over a decade old. Today, it’s often used as a textbook example of "parametric rolling." This term describes a dangerous phenomenon that can cause a ship to roll uncontrollably in head and following waves.

The viral video was taken by a nearby vessel and has captured viewers' attention. According to Gcaptain, the footage was recorded in 2009 as the vessel departed from Geelong, Australia.

The video serves as an important reminder of the risks large container ships face at sea and vividly illustrates why parametric rolling is a critical topic in maritime safety.